My first skyline

[vistyle]

Thanks for the comments so far everyone! Although I have't really gotten any opinions on the reliability or upkeep of an r32/rb20?Availability/price of parts? What about the life span? I'm use to seeing imports with such low km's.

Hopefully I will make him an offer tomorrow.

Thanks

[Skym]

R32 GTR, R32 GTS-4 are identical, except for obvious parts like wider fenders, rear 1/4's, etc. R32 GTS-T has a different floorpan (no bump in floorpan for 4wd transfercase that sends torque to front wheels), but other than that is identical to R32 GTS-4.

Roof racks (for ski's) were an option from factory for R32 in optional part catalogue -

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/tomosang/skyline/data/option/op7.htm

Sometimes those optional parts are seen on imported cars, sometimes part auctions in Japan.

Like any RB engine, a RB20 can take a thrashing if modified, serviced correctly. Seen some RB20DET with up to 330hp at engine last 180-200,000kms+ without mods like engine oil cooler that might have made them last longer and some thrashing. But if car is used on racetrack for racing, rebuild is done every 3500 race kms. If car sees track days occasionally and mainly road use, then rebuild engine every 100,000kms.

Also might need to refresh engine to fit a longer oil pump drive (part that slides into middle of oilpump) on front of crank, especially if bouncing off revlimiter while drifting, etc. It's a well known design fault.

[thefirstgen]

if you are in ontario, forget about it. you wont be able to find insurance.

Im in ontario, and I only pay 52 dollars a month on my skyline, with full coverage and all. Never a problem with finding insurance. Just as long as you have another car with the insurcance company. I have my house, and 2 cars with them so its cheap for me.

[Nismo_line]

rb20s can be reliable it taken care of. i have taken great care of mine and im currently at 215k km. Every car is different tho and some might need more work then others. Parts and bills can add up fast especially if you are in school and dont have the proper tools/knowledge to do the work yourself. Like said take it for a good drive and make sure to check the car over well and the fluids

[vistyle]

*CUT

Also might need to refresh engine to fit a longer oil pump drive (part that slides into middle of oilpump) on front of crank, especially if bouncing off revlimiter while drifting, etc. It's a well known design fault.

Thanks Skym,

Do I still need to worry about the oil pump drive at stock hp?

...at this point in time I'm use to 115hp fwd, so Im sure I will still be able to have fun at stock power for the first season.

[SlidingSideways]

Im in ontario, and I only pay 52 dollars a month on my skyline, with full coverage and all. Never a problem with finding insurance. Just as long as you have another car with the insurcance company. I have my house, and 2 cars with them so its cheap for me.

Mines 235/mo I'm 28 with a clean record with a house and 2 cars with the same company.. State Farm in ontario.



Anyways skylines and sweeet. If u get one for 2500 and it breaks, so what, it's still worth that. As long as it doesn't leave u stranded. If you don't know much about mechanics, there is a LOT of support online, ESP on this forum. Just don't buy it assuming you'll never have to work on it, cause you will. But that's how you learn.

Dooo it!

[vistyle]

That's what I like to hear.

I spoke with him just now over the phone and he says his bottom line is $3500. The previous owner was a family friend who got a new car so for some reason he's selling it for him. PO had it for 1.5 years, now its been parked for a month.

[Skym]

Thanks Skym,

Do I still need to worry about the oil pump drive at stock hp?

...at this point in time I'm use to 115hp fwd, so Im sure I will still be able to have fun at stock power for the first season.

You're welcome. Not really, just keep away from revlimiter (shift before redline, around peak power which is 6400rpm or basically way before 7500rpm where the revlimiter is). As many have found out, bouncing off revlimiter is what makes stock oilpump drive wear on the edge of the flat part, which eventually result's in the crank spinning inside oilpump (not spinning oilpump gears which result's in drop in oilpressure and engine failure). In some cases where some have acidentally dropped to a lower gear and hit revlimiter, cracked the oilpump gears. It basically comes down to how you drive car.

[Phillyb]

id get the car, i bought my first skyline not knowing too much about mechanics and you will be amazed how much you will learn in the first year. The main thing you should be concerned about is the oil. always keep it full of oil, i even run an extra quart of oil just to be safe. both my rb20's blew their headgasket so dont crank the boost unless you have arp head studs and a good metal head gasket. besides that both engines were somewhat reliable for a year each. coilpacks will probably need to be replaced also

[vistyle]

id get the car, i bought my first skyline not knowing too much about mechanics and you will be amazed how much you will learn in the first year. The main thing you should be concerned about is the oil. always keep it full of oil, i even run an extra quart of oil just to be safe. both my rb20's blew their headgasket so dont crank the boost unless you have arp head studs and a good metal head gasket. besides that both engines were somewhat reliable for a year each. coilpacks will probably need to be replaced also

I'm keen to learn, but I'm wondering if I need to own a second car in order to count on getting to work/school.

[Silbee]

I was in your shoe's too trying to figure out if the stress of it potentially breaking down when you need it the most. Keep in mind some skyline parts are not a lordco trip away, that being said every good skyline owner has a crawl space full of parts. Dont fear the unknown my friend, you will learn on the job just like everybody else.

[Skym]

both my rb20's blew their headgasket so dont crank the boost unless you have arp head studs and a good metal head gasket.

This is important. Also ECU tune is important, never run engine too lean and first thing I would suggest to do is service the engine, car and that includes changing thermostat (can be overlooked and usually not changed but can cause alot of damage if it isn't).

I'm keen to learn, but I'm wondering if I need to own a second car in order to count on getting to work/school.

Skylines are usually weekend cruiser type of cars and most have a cheap daily driver to use during the week. The reason why is Skylines can get dented by people opening doors onto them, keying them, broken into, etc.

[nimblestix]

in the near future i foresee more parts becoming a little more easy to obtain, With the 1989's becoming available in the states soon, i imagine that there will be more oem replacement items available, and even more performance items easily found.

Time will tell.

Owning a skyline can be stressful at times, but when everything is going great, its one of the most rewarding cars ive ever driven. Things will break, im telling you that right now, don't anticipate this car to be as reliable as your buddys civic, or cousin's 240', or even your neighbors dodge, something will happen and you will find yourself prying this forum looking for solutions, thats where we will come together and help you to solve your issues!

take a good look at the car, be weary of major rust, and hacked up modifications. The more mods there are, the more things will go wrong.

Keep us posted, and whatever you do, once you own it and your confronted with your first hurdle.....use the search function!
We'll be there waiting afterwards with helping hands!

good luck man!

[Skym]

I noticed after 20 years it becomes harder to get hold off some stock parts from Nissan (I think happened with R30, R31, etc). But there's companies like ACL, Permaseal that are producing factory like replacement gaskets, bearings, upgraded pistons, etc. I use Permaseal camcover gasket's, halfmoons, screw washers, oilfiller cap gasket on my cars engine.

[vistyle]

I think i'm going to go for it for 3500. That's of course IF the car looks good and all goes well with inspection. I'm hoping to make it through the spring/summer which is only a 8km commute to work/any other misc. driving, once schools out beginning of april. Then probably mostly parked in whistler for july/aug. Then uninsure it for the winter once school's back in and pick up a winter car and do some work on the skyline.

Thanks for everyone's opinion.